The Local Butcher Shop

The shop sells sustainably raised, local meat, prepares a meat-based sandwich of the day, and hosts a variety of meat-themed classes and workshops.

Set in the tony Gourmet Ghetto, The Local Butcher Shop is among a vanguard of new shops working exclusively with whole animals — no prepackaged cuts. All of the meat is pasture-raised and comes from within a 150-mile radius of Berkeley. With access to such first-rate meat, it’s no surprise that the lunchtime sandwich program is also excellent. Every day, Kel Troughton, the shop’s full-time sandwich chef, creates a single sandwich option based on what’s in season. And it’s always something different, so you could go an entire year without eating the same thing twice. The shop’s moist, full-flavored roast beef is worth making a special detour — but really, whether you’re talking Pork Milanese or roasted black-pepper pork, there isn’t a bad sandwich to be had.